Events of 2006
Events important to the fulfillment
of our mission.

News of 2006

Events of 2005

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20 December 2006
The Saint Luke's Foundation awards $200,000 to MHS to support critical services.

Trustees of the Saint Luke's Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio approved a grant of $200,000 to MHS "for operating support for critical community needs." MHS had received a $100,000 grant from the Foundation in late 2005, and had submitted another application in September 2006, citing data showing continuing critical needs for homeless assistance and crisis services in the greater Cleveland area.

The need for homeless assistance services is shown by data collected by the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services. Their annual point-in-time enumeration of the homeless revealed a total of 2,269 homeless individuals on just one night in January 2006. Of these, 488 (22%) had a severe mental illness, and 840 (37%) had been repeatedly or continuously homeless for more than one year.

The need for crisis services is apparent from the data on suicidal deaths. The total number of suicidal deaths in Cuyahoga County again increased in 2005 to 168, a 4% increase from the 162 suicidal deaths in 2004. Greater Cleveland’s rate of suicidal deaths is considerably higher than national and state rates. In 2005, Cuyahoga County had 12.6 suicidal deaths per 100,000 people. The most recently-published national data is for the year 2003, showing a national rate of suicidal deaths of 10.8 per 100,000. This national rate has varied little during the past five years. Among all the states in that year, Ohio ranked 40th, with a rate of suicidal deaths of 9.4 per 100,000. Therefore, Cuyahoga County's 2005 rate of 12.6 suicidal deaths per 100,000 is 17% higher than the most recently-available national rate, and 34% higher than the state of Ohio's rate.

The need for child trauma services is evident from the serious and growing rate of direct victimization of children in Cleveland. The rate of confirmed or suspected child maltreatment in Cleveland was 33.7 per 1,000, more than twice the national rate of 11.9 per 1,000. (Click here to see the data table.) Even Cuyahoga County’s rate of 19.1 per 1,000 was 60% higher than the national rate. A growing body of research shows that many children who witness domestic or other forms of community violence suffer developmental and psychological harm very similar to that of children who are directly victimized.

Ending chronic homelessness in Cuyahoga County, helping those in psychiatric crisis with effective healthcare and counseling interventions, and helping children grow beyond the limits imposed by their traumatic experiences are important components of the mission of MHS, and are fully consistent with the focus and interests of the Saint Luke’s Foundation. MHS is profoundly grateful to the Foundation for its support of our efforts to effectively address our community's compelling healthcare, housing, and supportive services needs.

17 December 2006
Video documentary about MHS child trauma-intervention services is featured on WKYC-TV.

"Violence and the Child Beside Us," an hour-long documentary on the MHS Children Who Witness Violence program was aired on WKYC-TV Channel 3 on Sunday, 17 December 2006, at 1 o'clock, p.m. The documentary was written and produced by Emmy-award winning Dennis Goulden.

More than one of four American children experience a serious traumatic event by their 16th birthday, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Many of these children suffer multiple and repeated traumas. Cuyahoga County's Children Who Witness Violence program is a nationally recognized program that provides crisis intervention and trauma assessment services for children who have witnessed domestic violence, homicide and/or suicide of a parent or loved one.

The Children Who Witness Violence program served over 1,200 children last year, in collaboration with the local police departments of Cleveland’s First, Fourth and Fifth Districts, Euclid, Lakewood, Maple Heights, Beachwood and Glenwillow. The program is funded by the generous support of the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and the voters of Cuyahoga County who passed the Health and Human Services Levy this past November.

21 November 2006
The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation awards $250,000 to MHS.

The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to MHS "for the purpose of general patient care." The award letter notes that "The Board of Managers believes strongly in your mission... We believe that this financial support will assist you in improving the quality of medical care that is currently provided to the Greater Cleveland Community."

Elisabeth Severance Prentiss built Saint Luke's Hospital to honor the memory of her husband, Dr. Dudley P. Allen, who had been the chief surgeon at University Hospitals of Cleveland. The Prentiss Foundation was founded in 1939, and is "dedicated to the support and advancement of healthcare, primarily in the greater Cleveland community." Its Board of Managers comprises five "public-spirited citizens" who serve unlimited terms without compensation. The Foundation has no employees. National City Bank acts as trustee and provides support services and a Secretary to the Foundation."

MHS thanks the Foundation's Board of Managers for their generous grant, and is honored to be among the organizations supported by the Foundation.

18 November 2006
The Mobile Crisis Team earns renewal of its AAS certification for five years.

The MHS Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) earned renewal certification from the The American Association of Suicidology (AAS). The MCT earned its original certification in October 2003. The renewal certification is effective until October 2011. To see the a copy of the certification letter, click here.

The Mobile Crisis Team is one of only 140 accredited organizations in the nation to provide 24-hour crisis intervention services. Accreditation means that MHS crisis intervention services met or exceeded standards in administration, training, services in life-threatening crisis, ethical issues, community integration, and program evaluation. During the last fiscal year that ended 30 June 2006, the Mobile Crisis Team served more than 13,000 adults and children.

7 November 2006
Voters approve Issue 19, funding vital health and human services.

Voters approved Issue 19, the Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services Levy, on 7 November 2006. The levy will replace and reduce the rate of the current levy, providing funds for critical crisis and counseling services, MetroHealth Medical Center, and supportive services. With all 1,434 precincts reporting, including absentee ballots, there were 249,773 votes for the levy (62%), and 152,605 votes against the levy. Click here to learn more about Issue 19. A summary of election results is available on the cleveland.com website.

24 October 2006
The Skirball Foundation awards MHS $250,000 for its capital campaign.

The Skirball Foundation was founded by brothers William and Jack Skirball. William owned movie theatres throughout the Midwest, and worked in an office on Euclid Avenue, in Playhouse Square, just a few blocks from the site of the building that is to become the MHS headquarters. The Foundation supports arts, cultural activities, medical and biological studies, and human services.

With this generous grant, MHS has raised $1.9 million in its capital campaign to purchase and renovate a 36,000 square-foot office building at 1744 Payne Avenue, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Click here to learn more about this project.

27 September 2006
MHS holds its Annual Meeting at Windows on the River.

The meeting was held at Windows on the River, with dramatic views of downtown Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River, and the more than mile-long Main Avenue Bridge.

MHS held its Annual Public Meeting of the Board of Trustees on the evening of 27 September 2006.

Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D., Executive Director, received a special award from the Board for 13 years of leadership that has made MHS one of the most important healthcare and social service providers in the greater Cleveland area.

Dr. Friedman thanked the Trustees and staff members for the many agency achievements during the past year: (1) the success of newer service initiatives, including the PATH Prison Pilot program and the Cleveland Hopkins Airport outreach; (2) implementation of the evidence-based Integrated Dual Disordered Treament protocol for clients with co-occurring mental health and substance-use disorders; (3) achievement of 3-year CARF accreditation; and (4) a capital fundraising campaign that raised $1.6 million.

Steven Prengler was elected President of the Board of Trustees during the meeting.

Mr. Prengler has been a Trustee for more than six years, and most recently served as Vice President. As the owner of North Point Inn in downtown Cleveland, he has been committed to working with homeless people, healthcare and social service providers, and government officials to end homelessness in the greater Cleveland area.

Richard Robins, Ph.D. was elected Vice President of the MHS Board of Trustees. Dr. Robins has been a Trustee for three years, following his retirement from the Lubrizol Corporation.

Patrick Carney, CPA was elected Board Treasurer. Julie Rittenhouse, who had served as Board President, and who has been on the Board for more than 11 years, will continue to serve as a Trustee. Ms Rittenhouse has been an effective leader of the greater Cleveland Housing First initiative that has resulted in the creation of hundreds of new and affordable permanent housing units that have on-site supportive services.

19 September 2006
MHS earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation.

MHS was awarded the highest level of accreditation - 3 years - by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

CARF is an international, nonprofit organization that provides accreditation services for more than 4,800 providers of behavioral health, medical rehabilitation, and other services. A three-member CARF survey team conducted an evaluation of MHS on 14-16 August 2006. Click here to view an image of the Accreditation Certificate.

Here are their findings.

The CARF Survey Summary noted strengths in 15 areas, including the dedication of the Trustees, Executive Director, and staff members, "genuine caring for persons served," "respect for persons served," the high level of satisfaction expressed by persons served, "excellent management documents," "a strong commitment to obtaining input from the persons served and other stakeholders" and the use of this input to improve programs, the "long tenure of staff members," and "strong linkages in the community.".

MHS was "commended for it vision, strategic plan, and program and resource planning that led to the development of the [Prison Pilot Program] and the program for Children Who Witness Violence (CWWV). Both programs involved significant collaboration with other groups and organizations, and they make major contributions in addressing critical needs of the persons served.".

Six areas for improvement were identified: (1) a "comprehensive written action plan for accessibility," (2) "an annual performance analysis for business functions and service delivery," (3) "a comprehensive risk management plan," (4) enhancements to service and transition planning, (5) improvements to individual client records, and (6) "a comprehensive quality review process." .

"On balance," the Survey Summary noted that "MHS has developed an excellent program for a population that has traditionally been a challenge in the field to engage in treatment. ... Persons served are enthusiastic about the support, care, respect, and services they receive. ... [T]he organization's leadership and staff members appear to have the commitment and ability to address the recommendations outlined in this report.".

"Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. has earned a Three-Year Accreditation. The board of directors, executive director, and staff members are to be congratulated for this accomplishment, and they are encouraged to continue to use CARF standards to demonstrate leadership in the region in providing caring, compassionate, and quality services."

16 September 2006
Mr. Speed performs for the benefit of the Community Women's Shelter.

Mr. Speed, the Cleveland-based KISS Tribute band, performed at the Quaker Steak and Lube, in a benefit performance for MHS during the evening of Saturday, 16 September 2006.

The benefit was sponsored by Waldenbooks to help build a library at the Community Women's Shelter, Cleveland's homeless shelter for women and children.

Admission was free! There were food and drink specials, and a raffle with prizes.

The concert began at 8 p.m. on Saturday, 16 September 2006, at the Quaker Steak and Lube at 5935 Canal Road, in Valley View, Ohio. Click here for a map of the event location.

According to the group's website, "Mr. Speed is a KISS tribute band that calls Cleveland, Ohio home. Being a legitimate tribute to KISS since 1994, Mr. Speed continues to build upon their own legacy as an honest, hard working band that believes in giving the fans the very best." A Mr. Speed performance features more than two hours of KISS classics, with "instruments that KISS uses to help recreate that classic sound."

MHS thanks Mr. Speed, Quaker Steak and Lube, and Waldenbooks, for their support of our clients and our mission!

14-16 August 2006
MHS welcomes members of the CARF Survey Team.

A three-member survey team of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) conducted an evaluation of MHS on 14-16 August 2006. CARF is an international, nonprofit organization that provides accreditation services for more than 4,800 providers of behavioral health, medical rehabilitation, and other services. CARF develops standards for organizations providing rehabilitation services. The standards are designed to promote services of high quality. CARF grants accreditation to organizations that have been determined to meet their standards.

MHS had submitted a survey request to CARF in 2005, after a comprehensive self-evaluation, and after implementing CARF standards for more than six months. When an agency requests accreditation, CARF surveyors make a visit, review the agency's operations, and speak with clients, staff members, and other agency stakeholders. CARF can decide to withhold accreditation, grant provisional accreditation, or grant one-year or three-year accreditation.

For consumers, CARF accreditation means that the agency provides quality services that meet the highest standards. For those who pay for services (i.e., taxpayors, governmental agencies, foundations, and individual and corporate donors), CARF accreditation means that the agency meets high standards of operational excellence, efficiency, and transparency. For service-providing agencies, achieving CARF accreditation helps them gain the recognition and trust of consumers, funders, and community members. There is also a trend for county and state governments to require agencies who wish to provide services to achieve accreditation. Ohio will soon require agencies to be achieve accreditation.

MHS staff members have worked for more than a year to learn and implement CARF standards. Susan Neth, Director of Community Development (at right in this photograph); LaTonya Murray, Director of Quality Improvement; and Ann Poston, Manager of Marketing and Communications (at left in this photo), led the agency's efforts to prepare for certification. They created or changed many policies, and trained staff members in the procedures needed to implement these new policies. MHS has become a better organization as a result of its efforts to earn accreditation.